Breathing

Breathing, an Austrian film released in 2011, directed by Karl Markovics, takes the audience on a powerful journey tracing the life of a disadvantaged youth grappling with society and self. Markovics, acclaimed actor turned director, breathes life into this movie with a delicate handling of the narrative, impeccable attention to detail, and skilful orchestration of the raw performances. The film features remarkable performances from talented young actor Thomas Schubert, and a convincing supporting cast composed of Karin Lischka and Georg Friedrich.

The protagonist of Breathing is Roman Kogler (Thomas Schubert), a 19-year-old orphan living a grim and stifling existence in a Viennese juvenile detention centre. He is serving time for causing a tragic accident at a young age that took a youngster's life. As a frequent offender, Roman is coming to the daunting realization that he might spend his entire life behind bars, a prospect that evokes feelings of despair and hopelessness.

Suddenly, an opportunity for parole presents the option of temporary release from the institution. However, to be considered for parole, Roman is required to hold a stable job and prove his rehabilitation, two criteria that become instrumental in his redemptive story. Landing a position at a morgue, he begins an eerie, yet curiously transformative journey. To sobriety and everydayity of the life in the juvenile detention centre, the job at the morgue adds quite a gloomy tone - a constant reminder of death and the consequentiality of actions that led him where he is.

Roman's dearth of social skills and inability to connect with people initially comes across as aloofness. Yet, it becomes evident that it is his manner of processing his turbulent emotions and guilt, masterfully portrayed by Schubert's nuanced performance. Schubert's portrayal of Roman's awkwardness and discomfort in social settings brilliantly encapsulates the struggle of the character trying to navigate life outside the confines of detention.

Karin Lischka brings a complex depth to her character, Roman’s estranged mother, Margit Kogler. We see her unable to reconcile her own feelings of guilt with her son's past. Georg Friedrich's character, Rudolf Kienast, Roman’s supervisor, appears hostile initially but ultimately becomes a pivotal figure in Roman's path to rehabilitation.

Breathing offers a rare perspective on the world outside juvenile detention, focusing on the experience of reintegrating back into society. What sets this film apart is its narrative style: a slow, deliberate pace that digs deep into the character's internal turmoil. With minimal dialogue and focus on the minutiae of daily life, it challenges the audience's perception of rehabilitation and redemption. This is not a movie of grand gestures or dramatic confrontations, but one of understated moments that build to construct the protagonists' journey of self-discovery.

The movie’s title, Breathing, is symbolic on multiple levels. On the one hand, it stands for Roman's struggle to find his breath in a stifling environment, to survive despite overwhelming difficulty. On the other hand, it depicts the instinctive necessity of adaptation, for every breath is both a subtle act of consuming the world and an instance of shaping oneself.

The cinematography contributes to the film's ethereal quality. The austere and often bleak Viennese landscape serves as the perfect backdrop for the film's intense narrative. Aside from the images, the poignant and subtle sound design underscores the narrative's emotional context.

Every aspect of the film, from the nuanced performances to the well-crafted screenplay and atmospheric videography, is a testament to Karl Markovics' directorial prowess.

In conclusion, Breathing is a gripping exploration of a young man's arduous journey towards redemption and self-development. The audience is granted a rare, unfiltered look into the struggles faced by people like Roman in their quest for societal acceptance. Tom Schubert's emotionally stirring portrayal of a complex and extremely human character forms the heart of this profoundly moving film. It is a thought-provoking cinematic experience that stirs up conversations around the topics of rehabilitation and coming to terms with personal grief.